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Carbon monoxide and trucking

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by guamguy, Mar 25, 2008.

  1. Mar 25, 2008 #1
    guamguy

    guamguy Bobtail Member

    3
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    Mar 21, 2008
    Newark, CA
    0
    I am trying to get information on the effects of carbon monoxide on long haul truck drivers and what can be done. The few drivers I have spoken to were aware of the dangers and took some precautions buying pocket type CO detectors but I want to know how many of the guys that are found dead in their trucks after pulling over for the night died of CO poisoning.

    Another concern is just how interested are fleet owners in protecting their drivers from CO and are rigs periodically checked for leaking exhaust or poor ventilation systems?
     
    guamguy, Mar 25, 2008
    guamguy, Mar 25, 2008
    #1
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  3. Mar 28, 2008 #2
    trucking_on_through

    trucking_on_through Light Load Member

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    Dec 15, 2007
    Los Angeles, CA
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    trucking_on_through, Mar 28, 2008
    trucking_on_through, Mar 28, 2008
    #2
  4. Mar 28, 2008 #3
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    It takes a fairly high level to set off an alarm on a short term basis. There are other things that read on these meters besides CO as well. Generally, anything you wouldn't want to imbibe, you also don't want to inhale or leave on your skin.

    I use a Kidde Nighthawk digital, and I have a new one that checks amounts over a period of time, determining exposure. The Kidde meter reads the peak reading since the last reset. I have never had the alarm go off but I have had a couple of readings of 86 ppm, high enough to cause trouble for me. This only happens when the wind is from the front of the truck and the vent system is not set to recirculate.

    I had the flex pipe disintegrate under the sleeper one time, I caught a hint of exhaust when I started the truck up and woke up a while later with a bad headache. Diesel engines produce less CO than a gas engine, but they still produce the gas, and I only got a hint of odor when I started the truck, not enough to alert me, that's when I got the CO detector.
     
    25(2)+2, Mar 28, 2008
    25(2)+2, Mar 28, 2008
    #3
  5. Apr 18, 2008 #4
    Chillwag

    Chillwag Light Load Member

    161
    32
    Nov 9, 2006
    Vancouver, Wa
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    My CO alarm goes off from time to time and its just a dummy alarm. I have noticed a reduction in headaches, and there have been a couple of times that I had to get rolling befor the thing would shut up (once in Laramie during a road closure and once in Plover, WI on a frosty morning (-18F). I almost jelled the truck up that time:biggrin_2554:.

    As far as fleet owners, they dont care look at all the trucks with APUs sitting exaust directly under the next guys bunk. Or better yet look at a truck with an Espar heater, they barely put enough pipe on those things to clear the sleeper.
     
    Chillwag, Apr 18, 2008
    Chillwag, Apr 18, 2008
    #4
  7. Apr 18, 2008 #5
    heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

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    near Kalamazoo Speedway
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    Rick Mast drove his last Winston Cup race in 2002. Carbon monoxide poisoning had reached a level that was nonconducive to treatment. The poison accumulated during years of racing on short tracks across the southeast and “cooked his brain”. Not even a hyperbaric chamber can reduce the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood.

    If I noticed a sore throat while driving, I would check the flex pipes at my next stop. Also, my practice was to drive with the windows closed while running the fresh air fan. I assumed pressurized fresh air would enter at the cowl and exit through vents behind the cab or through holes in the shift boot, etc.
     
    heyns57, Apr 18, 2008
    heyns57, Apr 18, 2008
    #5
  8. Jun 2, 2011 #6
    scotty

    scotty Light Load Member

    98
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    Feb 22, 2007
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    Sounds like a good ideal and I have knew drivers who died as a result of CO in thier sleepers. But Fleets are not required to install them nor is required under the DOT. Money.
    If you have this problem bring it to the attention of your company, write it up on your DVIR for your protection. If they refuse to do anything take to an inspector at a scale house, if there is a problem you will be put out of service. The good part is that you will live longer.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2011
    scotty, Jun 2, 2011
    scotty, Jun 2, 2011
    #6
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